Sweet Potato Bread

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 can (15 ounces) sweet potatoes, drained, (reserve about 2 tablespoons liquid) and mash with liquid

1 3/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour a loaf pan.  In large bowl, combine, sugar, water, oil, eggs and mashed sweet potatoes.  Mix well.  Add flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon or spice, and baking powder.  Mix well.  Stir in pecans.  Pour evenly into prepared pan.  Bake for 70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool 15 minutes, remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack.